EU-Russia Summit in Nice on 14 November

Nice will host the next EU-Russia Summit on
November 14, which, following the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers of 10
November, will confirm the continuation of negotiations for a New EU-Russia
Agreement. Alongside topics such as the economic and financial crisis, energy
security, and climate change, the Summit will also address the recent conflict
in the Caucasus and other international issues such as Iran and proposals for a
new European security architecture. In addition, the summit will review the
state of play in the four Common
Spaces[1]. The
Commission will be represented by the President of the European Commission,
José Manuel Barroso, accompanied by Commissioner for External Relations and
European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and Trade Commissioner
Catherine Ashton.

Prior to the Summit, President of the European Commission, José Manuel
Durão Barroso, said: “The conflict in Georgia has emphasised the
crucial need for permanent political dialogue between the EU and the Russian
Federation, while the global economic crisis has underlined once more the
interdependence between the EU and Russian economies. It is our belief that the
New Agreement offers the best possibility for the EU to advance its interests
while defending its values.”

Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita
Ferrero-Waldner added: “The Commission’s recent review of EU
Russia relations has received overwhelming backing from EU member States. Russia
needs the EU, and the EU has a clear interest in pursuing close co operation
with Russia. Our team will approach the forthcoming negotiations with Russia
with a clear-eyed sense of where the EU sees its own advantage. At the same
time, the EU stands firm on the positions we have adopted since the Georgia
crisis: the Geneva process must advance, and the principle of territorial
integrity must be upheld."

Commissioner for Trade, Catherine Ashton commented: "The EU-Russia trade
relationship is now worth around EUR 260 billion a year. While the EU is a
strong economic partner for Russia, our relationship could be much more valuable
if Russia were to join the WTO."

The Summit will set a date for the next round of negotiations for the new
EU-Russia Agreement, for which the mandate was adopted by the EU Council of
Ministers on 26 May 2008. Negotiations for the Agreement were launched at the
last EU-Russia summit in June in Khanty-Mansiisk and the first round of
negotiations took place on 4 July 2008. Following the conflict in the Caucasus
the European Council of 1 September 2008 decided to postpone meetings on the
negotiations. At the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers of 10 November the
Commission received political backing to pursue negotiations.

The new Agreement will cover results-orientated political co-operation, the
perspective of deep economic integration, a level playing field for energy
relations based on the principles of the Energy Charter, closer relations in the
field freedom, security and justice, and a mutual opening of the educational and
scientific systems. The new agreement will build upon the current four Common
Spaces.

The EU does not accept status quo in Georgia. Council conclusions have made
clear that the Russian violation of territorial integrity and unilateral
recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are unacceptable. The October GAERC
noted that the withdrawal of Russian troops from the zones adjacent to South
Ossetia and Abkhazia was an essential step in the implementation of the
agreements of 12 August and 8 September, and called on all parties to continue
to implement their commitments. The EU is fully dedicated to the international
discussions provided for in these agreements (Geneva process) which continue on
November 18th. The EU is committed to the independence, sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Georgia.